Last words

Yesterday morning the phone rang early, so I knew either school was canceled or something was wrong.  It was my dad and he told me that my Aunt Betty had passed away in the night. What? So unexpected!  I asked if she had been sick or something? No, just didn't wake up.  My heart skipped a beat or two and I am not sure it has really sunk in yet.

I was fortunate to live pretty close to all sides of my family while growing up but since I have been married I haven't seen any of them a whole lot.  I keep up with most of them on facebook and I am grateful for that. Yesterday, I got on facebook and went to her page, she was always posting or commenting about her children and how much she loved them. This picture/quote was the last thing she posted! I am sure Heavenly Father knew her children needed this reminder as she was called back home.

It has been on my mind ever since. These were some of her last thoughts...last words. It took me back to a blog I read awhile ago talking about last words. The lady remembers her husbands last words and they are not kind or loving words. It has made me think, do I live in a way that I could be taken suddenly and have some of my last words be words of love? I definitely have work to do!
My Aunt Betty's quote has made me want to try harder, do better and make sure my last words are of love and kindness.  Not one of us is guaranteed tomorrow and I need to do better to live that way.

My heart breaks for my uncle, their children, grand children and all their family and loved ones. They do have the gospel in their lives and the faith to know that it is true but I cannot imagine the heartache they are going through at this time. I pray for them. I pray they will feel their Saviors love and comforting arms around them now and for as long as they need it. I do KNOW that He is there for us and all we have to do is ask. I wish it could take the pain away but that is not the purpose of this life. We are to be tried and tested here on earth so that we can return home to our Heavenly Father.

"How fragile life, how certain death. We do not know when we will be required to leave this mortal existence. And so I ask, “What are we doing with today?” If we live only for tomorrow, we’ll have a lot of empty yesterdays today. Have we been guilty of declaring, “I’ve been thinking about making some course corrections in my life. I plan to take the first step—tomorrow”? With such thinking, tomorrow is forever. Such tomorrows rarely come unless we do something about them today." President Thomas S. Monson

What will your last words be?  Not just as your leave this world, but as your leave your house, a family get together, when your children leave in the morning, when your spouse walks out the door? Let's make them words of kindness and love as though they are the last words to be heard. I hope to do better so that one day the words my loved ones remember are words that say 'I love you'.

To my Uncle Glen, Glenna, Travis, Jeanette, Kristen, Brandon and their families; May the Lord bless you at this time of loss and trial. May your testimonies be strengthened of eternal families and life. I pray you always know and remember your wife, mother and grandmother will be waiting for you to complete this earthly journey. Remember the quote she left days before returning to heaven 'I will be there for them anyway I can'. I am sure she is now a very busy lady but I know she will always take time to watch over those she loves so dearly. Sending much love to you all!

Happy 6th Birthday!

Owen's birthday landed on a busy day for everyone so we put of the celebration for a few days. I told him I had been working on his cake and on his birthday I brought this cupcake over so he had something to celebrate.  He looked at it and then at me and gave me a look of 'really mom, this has taken you that long'! It was so funny. He did end up giving lots of smiles when I told him his cake would be finished in a few days.

He loved his Jake cake.  He is the one who chose it, so he should have.  I gave him the choice of a minion, Turbo or Jake. Abby suggested Jake so she was pretty happy when he chose it.

He loved looking at his cake, that is until we lit the candle.  Then he wanted nothing to do with it.  He cried until we convinced him we had taken the candle off and to open his eyes.

Happy birthday my miracle boy!  It's been an adventure for sure but I wouldn't trade it if I could!  Many told us you wouldn't live this long, but you have proven them wrong and we will take each and every day we are given.

We used to send balloons to his special angel birthday buddy, but since we don't always get somewhere to buy balloons I started added something girly to his cake. This year Jake was heading out to save Wendy.
Happy birthday angel Mercydez!

So much to catch up on!

I am not sure where to start since I am so far behind!  My computer has had issues with uploading pictures, and without pictures I cannot blog.  My love for pictures makes me put words with them.
I know this is a lot of pictures, that's why I put them all in collages. If you click on the picture it should enlarge it.
Hopefully now that I have the issue with my computer figured out and I will get back to keeping you all up on our adventures.

Lamb shows and fair time!

Summer and football.  Lenn wanted a picture with the big baler and little baler so I took some pictures and had to add the old bale wagon or stacker. The childhood memories that come back each and every time I see one of these are priceless.  

Homecoming 2013

Future home of the Lucky U show sheep barn.  Abby has asked if it is the same kind of project as the basement.  Oh, my Abby.  She isn't about to get too excited about it quite yet.

Decorating the Christmas trees, my birthday and basketball.
(I just realized this has two of the same picture of Owen, sorry.)

Abby's school play, clogging and Christmas eve.

Making a little history

Today there was a few fun moments I want to remember, no pictures though, sorry.  First of all Bentley got his first real hair cut and style last night.  Second, he really liked it and actually did it today WITH some gel! Big deal here :) With his new do, he wore a shirt that was not a sports t-shirt. We may be turning a corner here!  I cannot believe I didn't get a picture.

Today Owen's therapist came and I was telling her how he had been acting lately, it is almost like he is trying to answer my questions.  I have noticed that when I ask him a question it seems like he wants to answer me with a blink or his mouth.  Since she knows what she is doing she started working with him asking simple questions. Sure enough, he would blink for yes.  It was so fun and exciting to see. Mainly because it wasn't just in my head but he actually has been answering  questions.  I hope to get some videos, but it may be hard because he knows when the camera is out.

Count down to Christmas

Ever since I was little, the Christmas countdown was a big thing. I loved it and I think all my sisters and brother loved it too! My mom would hang it at the end of the hallway so it was the first thing we saw when we got up each morning. It was a big Christmas tree with 24 pockets that each held a candy cane. I thought it was the coolest thing ever and was so excited the day we got to start.  My birthday is also in December and my sister, just older than me, always made sure that no one else would touch the candy cane on my day! We all took turns and she made sure my turn would come on my birthday!

Oh, Christmas memories as a child! I have always loved the winter holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day were always spent with Grandma's, Grandpa's, aunts, uncles and cousins. I looked forward to them each and every year and have such great memories of Christmas time especially, even the year I tripped on a stair throwing my moms freshly made salad EVERYWHERE!

When I had children of my own I was on the look out for the coolest countdown ever, I have yet to replace the felt Christmas tree with candy canes that stuck on with velcro, But we have the same excitement with the countdown.  In the past we have made our own candy countdown and of course, the kids love that....anything with sugar!
(I can't get the picture to load)

This year I found cute little boxes and made a countdown. I'm excited and yes, I may be a little weird but that's okay! The boxes are filled with candy for everyone but Owen, he gets a sticker in each box for his countdown nativity. I also added little notes in a few boxes with extra candy to give to someone who might be having a bad day. I figured they would take the extra to school and just eat it but so far both Bentley and Abby have given their candy away.

I had such magical Christmases that I want my family to have the same kind. We do love Christmas around here and we have some fun times. I hope we are making memories that will last a lifetime.